The Chinese government will resume the 15-day visa-free entry policy for Singapore citizens holding ordinary passports who come to China for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, and transiting from 0:00 on July 26, Beijing time.Â
Singapore citizens who have been issued visas to China before, their visas will continue to be valid. Visa applications that have been accepted will be reviewed and issued normally.
Previously, the arrangement was suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Air ticket prices soar
In an unexpected move that sent waves of excitement through the travel industry, China recently announced a new visa-free policy for Singaporean travelers. This groundbreaking decision allowed Singaporeans to enter China without the need for a visa, igniting a surge in demand for air tickets to the vast and diverse nation. However, with the sudden influx of travelers, air ticket prices to China experienced a significant spike, catching many by surprise.
As the demand soared, airlines found themselves in a unique predicament. While the excitement of increased bookings and higher revenue was evident, the logistics and operational challenges were equally apparent. Airlines had to quickly adjust their capacity and schedules to cater to the surge in passengers. However, due to the constraints of flight availability and limited slots at popular airports, the sudden surge pushed airfares to unprecedented levels.
Travel experts suggested that the spike in air ticket prices was not entirely unexpected, given the patterns observed in the travel industry. Whenever a destination opens its doors through visa-free policies or relaxes entry restrictions, an initial rush of eager travelers ensues, leading to increased competition for limited airline seats. Airlines, in turn, respond by adjusting prices to capitalize on the surge in demand.